Softball: Cajuns Claim Title with Shutout
LAFAYETTE-Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team used a 5-0 shutout over San
Diego State to claim the 2009 Mardi Gras Invitational title on Sunday at
Alfred and Helen Lamson Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Park.
The Cajuns recorded 11 hits on the day en route to the shutout victory.
Three UL players recorded multiple hits on the day, including Melissa Verde.
Verde, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, finished the
game 3-for-4 with two RBI.
For the weekend, Verde finished with a .462 with two doubles, a grand
slam, .846 slugging percentage, .611 on-base percentage and nine runs batted
in.
Along with Verde, Karli Hubbard and Vallie Gaspard each collected multiple
hits in the game. Both slap hitters collected a pair of base hits each.
Hubbard finished 2-for-4 , while Gaspard closed out the day 2-for-3 with a
run scored and an RBI.
Jessica Dupont collected the Cajuns’ only extra base hit of the day as she
hit her first home run of the season.
Louisiana tallied five runs on the afternoon, which proved to be more than
enough as Donna Bourgeois kept the Aztecs off of the scoreboard. Bourgeois
tossed a complete game two-hit shutout, earning her eighth win of the
season. The sophomore fanned six batters, while surrendering just one walk.
Five Ragin’ Cajuns players were named to the All-Tournament team. Bourgeois,
Ashley Brignac, Hubbard and Katie Smith each earned All-Tournament accolades,
while Verde was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player.
Julianne Towers (UConn), Samantha Beasley (San Diego State), Brittany Knudsen
(San Diego State), Chanda Bell (Kentucky) and Molly Johnson (Kentucky) were
also named to the All-Tournament Team. Louisiana was the tournament
champions with a 4-0 record, while Kentucky finished as the runner-up with a
2-2 mark.
After being held scoreless for the two innings, the Cajuns broke the
scoreless tie with a two-run third inning. With one out, Gaspard had a bunt
single to get things started for Louisiana. Smith followed with an infield
single and a single by Hubbard loaded the bases for the Cajuns. Verde
singled up the middle to plate to score Gaspard and Smith and give UL a 2-0
lead.
The Cajuns added a run in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Kelly
Cormier singled to third base. She advanced to second on a throwing error by
San Diego State. Gaspard followed with a single up the middle. Cormier was
able to score from second base to increase the Louisiana lead to 3-0.
The score remained 3-0 until the sixth inning. Dupont left off the inning
with a solo home run. The homer was her second of her career and the first
this season.
UL added a run in the top of the seventh to give them a 5-0 lead. Verde led
off the inning with a single and Erikka Murphy entered the game to pinch
run. Murphy advanced to second on a wild pitch. A fielding error by SDSU
gave UL runners on second and third. Codi Runyan delivered a two-out single
to right field to score Murphy from third and give the Cajuns a five-run
cushion.
The Ragin’ Cajuns hit the road for the first time this season as they head to
Columbus, Ga. for the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Cajuns will take on
Northwestern and Georgia Tech on Friday, before battling DePaul and Michigan
on Saturday. The Cajuns will close out the tournament with a game against
Florida State. First pitch on Friday is slated for 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
-www.RaginCajuns.com-
Chris Whitehead
UL-Lafayette Sports Information
201 Reinhardt Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 851-2255
www.ragincajuns.com
whitehead@louisiana.edu
